Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens), Bar X Crossing Road area along Tonto Creek, Gila County

This Black-throated Green Warbler was found and photographed by Tommy DeBardeleben on 17 October 2019 in the riparian woodlands along Tonto Creek, just south of Bar X Crossing Road in the town of Tonto Basin.

Prior to 1990 there were about 30 records for Arizona, but it has been much scarcer since with only 14 ABC accepted records and four more pending. This pattern of decreased occurrence since 1990 is similar to that of several other northerly breeding eastern warblers that are much less common as vagrants to the state than previously. However, in the past few years several Black-throated Green Warblers have been documented, and the frequency of records of this species may be increasing. Possibly a first record for Gila County.

"Black-throated" Setophaga type warbler with bright yellow face with dull olive auriculars and an unstreaked green mantle, contrasting with a bold black throat extending into black flank streaks. The underparts lack yellow except a small patch on the breast and another small patch on the vent, typical of this species.

17 October 2019, photo by Tommy DeBardeleben

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer